Palmer name-drops Pope
CLIVE Palmer has namedropped Pope Benedict XVI and pop star Guy Sebastian while spruiking his Christian sensibilities ahead of a hearing to freeze $200 million of his assets.
In arguing his strong ties to the Queensland community, Mr Palmer said in a Supreme Court affidavit he was a committed Catholic who sponsored Sebastian’s theme song for World Youth Day in 2008, when he met the Pope.
He also claims he sacked his globetrotting nephew Clive Mensink as director of Queensland Nickel when it became clear he would not return to Australia.
The embattled former Federal politician is defending a bid by the taxpayer-funded liquidators of his company Queensland Nickel to freeze his assets amid a massive lawsuit to claw back millions of dollars in debts.
In an affidavit filed yesterday, Mr Palmer hit out at allegations he would put his assets beyond the reach of liquidators and pointed to his “strong community ties” and Catholicism.
“At 63 years of age, my history and actions demonstrate that I have no intention of leaving the State or dissipating assets and my strong commitment, actions and faith stand testimony to that position,” the businessman said.
Supreme Court Justice John Bond will hear the application to freeze Mr Palmer’s assets in Brisbane today.